Fear, who played 88 games for Wimbledon and ended his career at Sutton United, says his former team-mate has the ability to work miracles on a shoestring.

He added: “When we started, I never thought he was management material but when he grew up and got to 25 he wanted to do his coaching badges.

“At that age, we all wanted to do other things, but Neal wanted to get into coaching once he’d calmed down a bit.

“Until then, we were having too much fun to think about going into management because you never think it is going to end.

“I am not surprised how well he has done but when you look at what he has achieved with what he has been forced to work with, it is impressive.

“Wimbledon’s budget is small and rather than getting players who were coming down through the leagues for their last few pay days, he was going to clubs and signing players who had not quite hit it off but then, bang.

“I am not too sure how he does it. He just seems to have a nice way about him that can get the best out of his players.”